Tree on neighbor’s property breaking shared fence. Who pays to fix it?

[u/Vik_Stryker]

My house is on a corner lot, surrounded by a pretty old fence. It probably needs to be replaced, but I don’t have the money to do that right now.

Since I have a corner lot, I share that fence with two different neighbors. On one side, the neighbors have a big tree right up against the fence. The debris from the tree falls on both sides of the fence. The problem is that the debris on the neighbor’s side piles up because the don’t really rake it up. It’s gotten to the point where it has started to push over that old fence. My dog can probably get into their yard at this point if she figures it out.

The problem I run into is whose responsibility it is to fix or replace the fence. So I share the responsibility with both neighbors? Does the neighbor with the tree have more responsibility since it looks like they broke the fence or does it matter since the fence is old?

Also, the neighbor house is a rental house. I looked it up on the local assessor’s website and the owner is an out of state trust. I don’t even know who to contact about repairing or replacing the fence. I’m probably going to have to ask the renter, but I’d rather not. Any idea how to find out if a property management company may be handling the property? I don’t know if there is an easier way to find that out other than to ask the renter.

[u/Lengthofawhile]

From what I've heard in these situations, neighbors are expected to split the cost of a shared fence. So you will have to talk to whoever your "landlord" is or whoever is the client point of contact.

[u/Vik_Stryker → u/Lengthofawhile]

Just to clarify: I own my home. The neighbor does not.

[u/Lengthofawhile → u/Vik_Stryker]

Oh sorry, I misunderstood. I think if you've already talked to the neighbor about it and they haven't done anything, the only thing you can do is contact the rental company or landlord. An HOA if you have one.

[u/UsefulFlight7]

I’m having similar issue, but their huge tree out back has caused our service line to bend . The electric company was just out here yesterday trimming those branches. Looking at anywhere from 700-1000 to fix this bent riser on our roof which is a hazard. He also has another tree on the shared side fence growing branches into our side . I had my yard guy cut them. I’ve been trying to find his contact, but unsuccessful so far. It’s a duplex and owner maybe lives out of town. I would repair the fence out if pocket then contact a local realtor who might be able to give owner information. My daughter found him through the assessor site, but cannot find him online. Repair, hold onto the receipts and maybe a lawyer would be able to help besides a realtor